A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING ARTICLE 13 TO CHAPTER 13, TITLE 63 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF SUMMER CAMPS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL; TO DEFINE SUMMER CAMPS AS RESIDENT CAMPS AND DAY CAMPS; TO PROHIBIT PERSONS WHO ARE LISTED AS A PERPETRATOR IN THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, WHO ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER UNDER THE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY, OR WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF CERTAIN CRIMES TO BE LICENSED TO OPERATE A SUMMER CAMP OR TO BE EMPLOYED BY A SUMMER CAMP AND TO PROVIDE THAT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE FOR A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF SUCH A CRIME TO APPLY FOR SUCH A LICENSE OR EMPLOYMENT; TO REQUIRE STATE AND FEDERAL FINGERPRINT REVIEWS AS A PREREQUISITE TO LICENSURE AND EMPLOYMENT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL LICENSES WHEN THE APPLICANT MEETS CERTAIN PRELIMINARY REQUIREMENTS; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION OF A SUMMER CAMP APPLICANT FOR LICENSURE; TO REQUIRE A SUMMER CAMP TO HAVE A PERSON ON SITE WHO IS CERTIFIED IN FIRST AID AND IN CHILD-INFANT CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION; TO REQUIRE A SUMMER CAMP TO NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT WHEN A CHILD DIES AT THE SUMMER CAMP; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR RECEIVING COMPLAINTS; TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS AND INSPECTIONS OF SUMMER DAY CAMPS; TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR ISSUING CORRECTION NOTICES FOR DEFICIENCIES, FOR OBTAINING INJUNCTIONS, AND FOR APPEALS OF DEPARTMENT DECISIONS; TO PROHIBIT A PERSON SEEKING EMPLOYMENT IN THE DEPARTMENT'S SUMMER CAMP LICENSING PROGRAM FROM HAVING BEEN CONVICTED OF CERTAIN CRIMES AND TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE FOR A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF SUCH AN OFFENSE TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT; AND TO AMEND SECTION 63-13-20, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS IN THE LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF CHILDCARE FACILITIES, SO AS TO REVISE THE EXEMPTIONS FROM CHILDCARE LICENSURE FOR SCHOOL CAMPS AND SUMMER RESIDENT CAMPS.

Amend Title To Conform

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. (A) A South Carolina Summer Camp Study Committee is created to study the summer camps in the State and to recommend legislation, if appropriate, related to the licensing and regulation of summer camps.

(B) The study committee must be composed of the following members:

(1) the Director of the Department of Social Services, or his designee, who shall serve as the chairperson for the study committee;

(2) the Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, or his designee, who shall serve as the co-chairperson of the study committee;

(3) the Director of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or his designee;

(4) one member of the Joint Citizens and Legislative Committee on Children, chosen by the Chairperson of the JCLCC;

(5) one member representing the YMCA, chosen by the chairperson upon the recommendation of the YMCA;

(6) one member representing the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association (SCRPA), chosen by the chairperson upon the recommendation of the SCRPA;

(7) one member representing the South Carolina Afterschool Care Alliance (SCACA), chosen by the chairperson upon the recommendation of the SCACA; and

(8) three members appointed by the Governor, of which at least two members must be from religious-affiliated groups that operate summer camp programs in South Carolina.

(C) The study committee must review all information it considers relevant related to summer camps, any current statutes or regulations governing summer camps, and any deficiencies related to the operation or regulation of summer camps. The study committee must develop and recommend statewide minimum requirements it deems necessary for the care and protection of children attending summer camps and recommend a mechanism for the enforcement of the requirements. The study committee must complete and render a written public report detailing its findings and recommendations, to include any recommended legislation, to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by no later than January 31, 2010, at which time the study committee must be dissolved.

(D) The staffing for the committee must be provided by the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

(E) Members of the study committee shall serve without compensation.

(F) Except as otherwise provided, the study committee may organize and collect information in the manner it deems to be best suited to accomplish its objectives.